Huike
These Huike ( Chinese 大祖慧可 , Pinyin Dàzǔ Huike , Jap. Same case; Taiso Eka ) is the second patriarch of Chan - Buddhism in China . Its vital statistics are 484 bis 590 AD, according to another source.. 487 - 593 . Its immediate predecessor was Bodhidharma .
There are several legends concerning the second patriarch: When the monk Huike went to the master Bodhidharma to become his disciple, the latter, who was meditating against the wall, did not look up. It started to snow and Huike didn't move until it was completely covered in snow. Master still paid him no heed. Huike cut off his arm as a token of his determination and was accepted by Bodhidharma as a student. Huike said, “Master, my mind is full of restlessness, please calm it down.” Bodhidharma replied, “Show me your mind and I will calm it down!” Huike hesitated and said he could not find his mind. Bodhidharma then said, "You see, I've calmed him down." Whereupon Huike achieved enlightenment. Bodhidharma made Huike the first Chinese patriarch and recommended the Lankavatara Sutra to him .
Web links
- Zen Teachings of Huiko ( Memento from February 24, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Huike |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | In addition Huike; 太祖 慧 可 (Chinese); Taiso Eka (Japanese) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | second patriarch of Chan and Chinese monk |
| DATE OF BIRTH | at 487 |
| DATE OF DEATH | at 593 |